Vatican City

JPL scientist Moustafa Chahine was one of 15 international participants invited to speak at last month's meeting at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences' Working Group on Water and the Environment. Chahine is the team leader for Atmospheric Infrared Sounder. AIRS is a spacecraft that is able to look through cloud cover to reveal 3-D data of a storms water vapor content. "Of all the gases water vapor is more dominant in global warming," Chahine said. He spent five days within the Vatican City as part of the conference.

Pope Benedict XVI visited Rome’s Central Synagogue on Sunday, but his visit was not without controversy. Benedict is being criticized for his moves to push WWII Pope Pius XII toward sainthood. According to an AP story published last week, some Jews and historians have accused Pius of “not doing enough to stop the Holocaust.” Given what you may know about Pius XII, do you believe the criticism Benedict faces is justified? The Rev. Bryan Griem: Protestants have little regard for the whole practice of officially designating sainthood.

Students at St. Francis High School erupted into spontaneous applause at a previously planned Tuesday morning assembly when they learned a new pope had been elected. "We've all been very excited about the whole process. It's an exciting time to live through," said Dorothy Holm, formation director for St. Bede the Venerable parish. A conclave of cardinals throughout the world elected the new pope Tuesday morning, signaling the two-thirds majority vote with puffs of white smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel and bells ringing throughout Vatican City.

Pope Benedict XVI visited Rome’s Central Synagogue on Sunday, but his visit was not without controversy. Benedict is being criticized for his moves to push WWII Pope Pius XII toward sainthood. According to an AP story published last week, some Jews and historians have accused Pius of “not doing enough to stop the Holocaust.” Given what you may know about Pius XII, do you believe the criticism Benedict faces is justified? The Rev. Bryan Griem: Protestants have little regard for the whole practice of officially designating sainthood.

JPL scientist Moustafa Chahine was one of 15 international participants invited to speak at last month's meeting at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences' Working Group on Water and the Environment. Chahine is the team leader for Atmospheric Infrared Sounder. AIRS is a spacecraft that is able to look through cloud cover to reveal 3-D data of a storms water vapor content. "Of all the gases water vapor is more dominant in global warming," Chahine said. He spent five days within the Vatican City as part of the conference.